Companion seeks bike to cycle in memory of wife

A formerly homeless St Neots man is planning a grueling fundraising cycle in memory of his wife. Tony McEwan (57) is now calling for help to obtain the right equipment in order to start training.

Tony was left devastated by the death of his wife Linda six years ago from Huntington’s Disease, a degenerative brain disorder. Having cared for Linda in her final years, he is now preparing for a 300 mile sponsored cycle ride to support research into the illness but does not currently own a bicycle.

My life hasn’t been easy. Problems in the past led to me becoming addicted to drugs and losing my home, but that’s all behind me now. I’m turning my life around and I want to do something positive to help others and show the world how much my wife meant to me.”

Tony is now a companion here at Emmaus Village Carlton. Our Bedfordshire charity helps 42 formerly homeless people by giving them a home, meaningful work in a social enterprise and an opportunity to regain lost self-esteem to help rebuild their lives.

I watched my wife suffer through this horrible illness, for which there is currently no cure. I want to help others who are fighting this and perhaps prevent new cases in future.”

Tony’s cycle challenge, which he has simply called ‘For Linda’, will see him ride 300 miles around Cornwall in June.

Although I live in Bedfordshire, Cornwall was always a special place for our family; I have happy memories of holidays there when my wife was alive and now my grandchildren love it too. I’m determined to revisit this area in Linda’s memory but I can’t do so without the right equipment. I’ve been advised that the terrain on my route means I’ll need a bike with 29 inch wheels, ideal for both gravel and road. I’m hoping a kind-hearted person or company might help me out with this, so I can begin training soon.”